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You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

nytimes.com

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Re: You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

#231

Post by sonicanatidae »

daft_pink wrote: post #113

The reason I think users don't mind Apple's control of their devices is that the reality is that users don't control devices, programmers do. Also, security requires constant updates and updates cost money, so it's not realistic to use a device for a decade, because you won't have security updates from any company at that point. Apple has better updates over time, which is reflected in it's higher resale values. So o…

I'm a SysAdmin. I get handed phones all the time to look at an issue. A decade ago I started cycling between iPhones and Androids every 18 months or so, to stay current on both.

This is my take on the ecosystems. YMMV.

In simplest terms, Apple keeps users away from control. They make decisions for the user and often, it's reasonable. In some cases, Apples control makes useful features no-gos. Tasker is an example. It's either not present or crippled. In summary, iPhones are great choices for people that just want a smartphone. They don't plan on getting fancy with it, they just need a daily driver.

Android is more of a swiss-army knife, imo. It has more flexibility, at the cost of ease-of-use, to get that. The UI overlays, for the most part, are tragedies. AOSP is the gold standard for me, but Pixel hardware has been a shitshow, so good luck with that. Android is a more developed (wide-reaching) OS, being used in numerous IOT and other devices. In summary, its also a daily driver, but mostly for those that like to tinker or have an all-in-one device. The overlays can be a PITA, but you get what you get and some folks like them.

I'm a career SysAdmin. I've done seem edits on flip phones, I've rooted and rommed Androids, I've jailbroke my iPhones in the past. Now? It's just a phone. I use better tools for things I need to do, rather than try to bend 1 device to be everything.

Again, YMMV.

Re: You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

#232

Post by daft_pink »

twelve40 wrote: post #230
daft_pink wrote: post #113

The reason I think users don't mind Apple's control of their devices is that the reality is that users don't control devices, programmers do. Also, security requires constant updates and updates cost money, so it's not realistic to use a device for a decade, because you won't have security updates from any company at that point. Apple has better updates over time, which is reflected in it's higher resale values. So o…

> I feel that Apple protects us from bad programmers for the most part, because if you look at Android and the lower quality of many of their apps been using Android for over a decade now, not once did I feel a particular need to be extra-protected by the Big Brother. I'm all for competition, enjoy your devices, Android is far from perfect, but I will not let Jobs or anyone else living or dead dictate what I can or c…

Exactly. You're an Android user. You're okay with Google's business model of giving away their code so they can make it back with advertising revenue. It's totally fine. If you are happy with that then more power to you.

I'm just echoing how Apple users feel about the product that we buy in large numbers and are also very happy with.

The reality is that we are forced to install apps in modern life. Want to go to a concert then you have to install our app. Want to board a plane then you have to install our app. Want to talk to your friends on whatsapp, then you have to install our app. Why do we have to give all this private information to McDonald's to buy a hamburger? We like having someone put limits on the programs running on our phones, because we often have little choice but to install the programs.

Re: You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

#233

Post by hulitu »

daft_pink wrote: post #113

The reason I think users don't mind Apple's control of their devices is that the reality is that users don't control devices, programmers do. Also, security requires constant updates and updates cost money, so it's not realistic to use a device for a decade, because you won't have security updates from any company at that point. Apple has better updates over time, which is reflected in it's higher resale values. So o…

> So on my iPhone, I feel that Apple protects us from bad programmers for the most part, because if you look at Android and the lower quality of many of their apps

NGO group would like a word with you. /s

I got an Iphone for work. Although i was excited to see how good it is, my excitement died when it said that it can connect to Wifi or data anytime, even when Wifi or data is turned off.

Re: You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

#234

Post by vuln »

luuurker wrote: post #170
vuln wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> but in my ~15 years of owning non-apple phones and laptops > I've never had one stolen > Have I just been very lucky? No you’re not lucky. Your items aren’t worth stealing. Rarely does anyone steal android devices, or windows laptops the resale value isn’t there. Which should be obvious to the most casual observer.

Are you suggesting that a thief won't snatch your +$1k Galaxy S23 Ultra because they'll only get $700 instead of $900 for a similarly priced iPhone? I'm not sure if they're that picky.

I don’t see looters breaking into a Samsung store.

Re: You Paid $1k for an iPhone, but Apple Still Controls It

#235

Post by luuurker »

vuln wrote: post #234
luuurker wrote: post #170

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you suggesting that a thief won't snatch your +$1k Galaxy S23 Ultra because they'll only get $700 instead of $900 for a similarly priced iPhone? I'm not sure if they're that picky.

I don’t see looters breaking into a Samsung store.

The value is there, but if they're too dumb to loot an Apple store to steal iPhones that will be blocked pretty quickly and don't even run regular software, then maybe we shouldn't expect them to understand the value of phones from other brands either.

I'd expect the HN crowd to be a bit smarter than Apple store looters though.

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